BOSTON: Pallavi Singh this year served as co-chair of TiE StartupCon, Tie-Boston’s annual conference, which attracted about 700 entrepreneurs, investors and business executives this year. This was the most successful Tis-Boston conference since 2007.
Singh’s multi-faceted experience and leadership in the patent research industry combined with her innovation-loving science background inspired her to found Beacon Innovation Group. Over the last decade she has observed a need for an organization to make the business side of IP more accessible to entrepreneurs, innovators and investors.
Singh is raising the quality of patent research services with Collaborative Patent Search, a method she developed with her team to ensure significantly more consistent work. She has hosted numerous workshops, teaching business minded people the ins and outs of patent strategy and empowering them to make stronger IP decisions. Beacon has donated an average of 1,000 hours per year to entrepreneurs and startups, primarily in the Boston area, helping them figure out how to manage licensing, litigation and legal budget considerations.
Singh brings years of leadership and success in various facets of patent research. She began her career as a patent researcher, manually shuffling through patent shoes at the USPTO to complete landscape, freedom to operate and validity searches. Singh has held management level operations and business development roles in leading IP firms.
As someone who is energized through the next generation of innovators, Singh is both the Vice Chair of TyE and a mentor for BUILD, two organizations that teach entrepreneurship to high school students. TyE harnesses the teachings of local entrepreneurs and business leaders in its 9 month course culminating in a business plan competition (with a $5,000 award). Her BUILD team, ReJean, is a group of 6 inner city girls identified as being at-risk for not completing high school or going on to college. They have learned how to start a business which sells products they have created from recycled fabrics.
INDIA New England News: Please tell our readers about your work and what you enjoy most about it?
Pallavi Singh: Being an entrepreneur is like climbing a tall mountain with a backpack of gear packed by children. Sometimes you have what you need, and sometimes you have to struggle to come up with your own solution. Yet, at the end of the day it is invigorating, enlightening, and a journey all of your own.
I have loved building an innovative team and learning the challenges of being an American / Indian woman running a business based in India. Patents can be a highly valuable asset, and our clients are delighted in our business-minded approach to our research and services. I also love learning what to not do next time!
INE: To which charitable, community and professional group do you belong and why?
PS: I work with both TyE and BUILD because I love working with high school students. There’s nothing that makes you forget your professional woes more than spending time with a group of energetic 14 and 15 year olds.
Becoming a TiE Charter member has been a great way to enhance my professional development. I believe in the mission of TiE, especially as someone who has taken advantage of the mentorship TiE members offer young entrepreneurs.
The Licensing Executive Society is one of many IP related organizations, but the only one that takes a truly business minded view (ie, not the legal / attorney approach). As the IP world evolves with Patent Reform and an onslaught of new licensing entities, recognizing that IP is business is critical. I am passionate about helping business minded people see beyond the fear and risk-aversion that many attorneys generate so that they can use IP as a business solution for their business.
INE: What are you hobbies and interest?
PS: My passion is cooking, and I spent a few years after college becoming a chef (much to the chagrin of my poor parents!). While I no longer wish to pursue cooking as a career, I love experimenting with my smoker, hostessing elaborate dinner parties, and teaching friends how to cook healthier meals for themselves.
INE: In what way you feel you have most positively influenced or served the local community and your company/organization and professional field.
PS: I am a natural community builder and mentor for women. I mentor high school girls and organize networking events for women with the intention of fostering professional mentorship.
INE: Your rare talent?
PS: My rare talent is to be able to eat almost anything and identify all of the ingredients. It never fails to impress my friends / family when we dine out.
INE: Your favorite books?
PS: My favorite book is the Red Tent, by Anita Diamont. The philosophy that worshipping female traits equally with male characteristics is something humanity has lost over time is fascinating to me.
INE: Who inspires you the most?
PS: My Mom. She left India shortly after getting an arranged marriage to live in Nigeria where she learned to teach English (though she wasn’t fluent herself). My father and she then moved to England before settling in the US, where she worked full time while getting a Masters and raising two small girls. Her belief in the power of positive thinking has been a huge influence in my life. As the mother of two successful entrepreneurs, she laughs about running an incubator with the highest success rate (100%!).
INE: Your core value you try to live by?
PS: I believe self-awareness is the key to professional and personal success and true happiness.
